Systems and methods for phlebotomy through a peripheral IV catheter

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/933,403, entitled “Systems and Methods for Phlebotomy Through aPeripheral IV Catheter,” filed Nov. 5, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/234,857 entitled, “Systems andMethods for Phlebotomy Through a Peripheral IV Catheter,” filed Sep. 16,2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/479,223 entitled “Systems and Methods forPhlebotomy Through a Peripheral IV Catheter,” filed on Apr. 26, 2011,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate generally to medical devices.More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to systemsand methods for phlebotomy through an intravenous catheter.

The typical hospitalized patient encounters a needle every time a doctororders a lab test. The standard procedure for blood extraction involvesusing a metal needle (“butterfly needle”) to “stick” patients' veins intheir arms or hands. Blood drawing is a manual, labor-intensive process,with the average patient requiring hours of direct skilled labor duringa typical hospital stay. This needle stick is not only painful and amajor source of patient dissatisfaction, but the nurses or specializedblood drawing personnel (phlebotomists) often have difficulty findingthe vein in approximately 10-15% of patients, resulting in multiple,painful “stick” attempts. This results in significantly higher materialand labor costs (needles and tubing must be disposed of after everyattempt) and increased patient pain and bruising.

The current process for drawing blood is inefficient, taking on average7-10 minutes, and more than 21 minutes for 10% of patients. These 10% ofpatients are referred to as Difficult Intra-Venous Access or morecommonly as “tough stick” patients. If superficial veins are not readilyapparent, blood can be forced into the vein by massaging the arm fromwrist to elbow, tapping the site with the index and middle finger,applying a warm, damp washcloth to the site for 5 minutes, or bylowering the extremity over the bedside to allow the veins to fill. Eachof these methods is time consuming and therefore costly.

Peripheral IV catheters (PIVs) are inserted into most patients whilethey are hospitalized and used for infusing fluids and medications.However, they are not designed for blood extractions. The failure ratesfor aspiration reach 20-50% when PIVs have been left inserted for morethan a day. Blood extracted from PIVs is often hemolyzed, defined as therupture of red blood cells and the release of their contents intosurrounding fluid, resulting in a discarded sample and need to repeatthe blood collection.

There are several mechanical barriers that can contribute to theshortcomings of extracting blood from a PIV. First, most catheters areformed from a soft bio-reactive polymer, the use of this material hasled to a potential narrowing or collapse of the catheter as the negativepressure is applied for aspiration. Additionally, with longer indwellingtimes comes an increase in debris (e.g., fibrin/platelet clots) thatbuild up on the tip of the catheter and within the lumen. This explainsthe relationship between failure rate and indwelling time. A thirdsignificant barrier is attributed to a “suction cup” effect, wherein thenegative pressure created by aspiration through the catheter and thepossible curved path of a vein result in the tip of the catheteradhering to the wall of the vein. As the negative pressure increases thevein can rupture resulting in “blowing the vein”, a major concern forphlebotomists during aspiration through a PIV.

Thus, a need exists for an improved system and method for phlebotomy.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for phlebotomy are described herein. In someembodiments, an apparatus includes an introducer, and a catheter. Thecatheter includes a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen. Theintroducer includes a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen andis configured to receive the catheter. An actuator, operatively coupledto the catheter, is configured to move the catheter between a firstconfiguration, in which the catheter is substantially within theintroducer, and a second configuration, in which the catheter issubstantially outside the introducer. A locking mechanism, coupled tothe distal end of the introducer, is configured to couple the introducerto a peripheral intravenous line. The catheter extends past an end ofthe peripheral intravenous line when in the second configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to anembodiment in a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to anembodiment in a second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic illustration of an apparatus according toan embodiment in a second configuration.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to anembodiment in a second configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment in afirst configuration.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an apparatus accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment in afirst configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment in asecond configuration.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of an apparatus according to embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10C are side views of an apparatus according to embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11C are side views of an apparatus according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for phlebotomy are described herein. In someembodiments, an apparatus includes an introducer, and a catheter. Thecatheter includes a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen. Theintroducer includes a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen andis configured to receive the catheter. An actuator, operatively coupledto the catheter, is configured to move the catheter between a firstconfiguration, in which the catheter is substantially within theintroducer, and a second configuration, in which the catheter issubstantially outside the introducer. A locking mechanism, coupled tothe distal end of the introducer, is configured to couple the introducerto a peripheral intravenous line. The catheter extends past an end ofthe peripheral intravenous line when in the second configuration.

In some embodiments, a method includes coupling an introducer sheath toa peripheral intravenous line (e.g., saline locked device, heparinlocked device, or the like), the introducer sheath having a proximal endand a distal end. The method further includes advancing a catheter froma first position inside the introducer sheath and outside the peripheralintravenous line to a second position substantially outside theintroducer sheath and inside the peripheral intravenous line. In someembodiments, the catheter has a length greater than a length of theperipheral intravenous line, while in other embodiments, the catheter,in the second position, is shorter than the peripheral intravenous line.A container is then coupled to the proximal end of the introducersheath, the container being fluidically coupled to the catheter. Thecatheter is later withdrawn from the second position to the firstposition.

In some embodiments, a catheter has a proximal end and a distal end anddefines a lumen therethrough. An introducer has a proximal end and adistal end and defines a lumen therethrough. The introducer isconfigured to receive the catheter therein. An adapter is coupled to theintroducer. The adapter has a distal end configured to be coupled to aperipheral intravenous line. The adapter defines a first lumen and asecond lumen. The first lumen has a first diameter and is configured toreceive the catheter therethrough. The second lumen is orthogonal to thefirst lumen. An actuator is operatively coupled to the catheter and isconfigured to move the catheter between a first configuration and asecond configuration. The catheter extends past the distal end of theadapter in the second configuration.

As used in this specification, the words “proximal” and “distal” referto the direction closer to and away from, respectively, a user who wouldplace the device into contact with a patient. Thus, for example, the endof a device first touching the body of the patient would be the distalend, while the opposite end of the device (e.g., the end of the devicebeing manipulated by the user) would be the proximal end of the device.

As used herein, the term “stiffness” relates to an object's resistanceto deflection, deformation, and/or displacement by an applied force.Stiffness can be characterized in terms of the amount of force appliedto the object and the resulting distance through which a first portionof the object deflects, deforms, and/or displaces with respect to asecond portion of the object. When characterizing the stiffness of anobject, the deflected distance may be measured as the deflection of aportion of the object different from the portion of the object to whichthe force is directly applied. Said another way, in some objects, thepoint of deflection is distinct from the point where force is applied.

Stiffness is an extensive property of the object being described, andthus is dependent upon the material from which the object is formed aswell as certain physical characteristics of the object (e.g., shape andboundary conditions). For example, the stiffness of an object can beincreased or decreased by selectively including in the object a materialhaving a desired modulus of elasticity, flexural modulus, and/orhardness. The modulus of elasticity is an intensive property of (i.e.,is intrinsic to) the constituent material and describes an object'stendency to elastically (i.e., non-permanently) deform in response to anapplied force. A material having a high modulus of elasticity will notdeflect as much as a material having a low modulus of elasticity in thepresence of an equally applied stress. Thus, the stiffness of the objectcan be increased, for example, by introducing into the object and/orconstructing the object of a material having a high modulus ofelasticity.

Similarly, a material's hardness is an intensive property of theconstituent material and describes the measure of how resistant thematerial is to various kinds of permanent shape change when a force isapplied. In discussing the hardness and the subsequent effect on thestiffness of a catheter, the Shore durometer scale is generally used.There are several scales for durometers with two commonly used indescribing plastics, polymers, elastomers, and/or rubbers, namely, typeA and type D, where type A is generally used for softer materials andtype D is generally used for harder materials. The Shore durometer of amaterial is denoted by a number between 0 and 100, with higher numbersindicating a harder material, followed by the type of scale. Forinstance, a first material can be measured as having a Shore durometerof 40 Shore A and a second material can be measured as having a Shoredurometer of 60 Shore D. Therefore, according to the Shore durometerscale, the second material is harder and thus, more stiff than the firstmaterial.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 1000 for phlebotomythrough a peripheral intravenous line or catheter in a firstconfiguration according to an embodiment. The apparatus 1000 includes anintroducer 1100 and a catheter 1200. The catheter 1200 is movablycoupled (e.g., slidably coupled, rotatably coupled, etc.) to theintroducer 1100. The introducer 1100 includes a sheath 1110 defining alumen 1113 between a proximal end 1120 and a distal end 1130 andconfigured to house, at least partially, the catheter 1200. The proximalend 1120 includes an opening or port 1121, such that the catheter 1200moves from the first, retracted configuration (FIG. 1) to a second,extended configuration, (FIG. 2). Similarly stated, the port 1121 at theproximal end 1120 of the introducer 1100 is configured such that thecatheter 1200 may move through the port 1121 from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration. Moreover, the port 1121 canbe any suitable port such as an opening in the proximal end of theintroducer 1100 and can include an o-ring, a gasket, or can be aself-sealing port and can be lubricated using any suitable lubricationto aid in the movement and/or sealing of the catheter 1200 therein. Thedistal end 1130 of the introducer 1100 includes a locking mechanism 1131configured to fluidically couple a peripheral intravenous line 1300 tothe introducer 1100 and place the catheter 2200 into fluid communicationwith the peripheral intravenous line 1300. The locking mechanism 1131can be any suitable locking mechanism that creates a fluid-tight seal.In some embodiments, the locking mechanism can be a Luer lock or similarconfiguration. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous line 1300is in a sealed configuration until the locking mechanism 1131 is coupledto the intravenous line 1300. Once the locking mechanism 1131 is coupledto the intravenous line 1300, the seal can be opened to allow access forthe catheter 1200.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 1000 according to anembodiment in a second configuration. The apparatus 1000 includes anintroducer 1100 and a catheter 1200. The catheter 1200 defines a lumen1201 between a proximal end 1220 and a distal end 1230 and may be anysuitable diameter and stiffness. In particular, the catheter 1200 isbetween a 16-gauge and 26-gauge and having a Shore durometer of 20ShoreA to 50 Shore D. Said another way, the catheter 1200 can be anysuitable diameter to be inserted through the peripheral intravenous line1300 and can be sufficiently stiff to be advanced through the peripheralintravenous line 1300. An actuator 1112 is operatively coupled to thecatheter 1200 through a groove or slot 1111 in the introducer 1100. Theactuator 1112 is configured to move the distal end 1230 of the catheter1200 from the first configuration, shown in FIG. 1, to the secondconfiguration substantially outside the introducer 1100, as shown inFIG. 2. In the second configuration, the length of the distal end 1230of the catheter 1200 is greater than the length of the peripheralintravenous line 1300 and the catheter 1200 extends past the distal endof the intravenous line 1300.

In some embodiments, the catheter 1200 can be moved to a thirdconfiguration in which it is retracted back into the introducer 1100.The third configuration is substantially similar to the firstconfiguration (FIG. 1) in that the catheter 1200 is positioned in theintroducer such that the user does not come into contact with bodilyfluids. While in the first configuration and the third configuration,the apparatus 1000 can be disconnected from or connected to a peripheralintravenous line 1300. Said another way, the apparatus 1000 can be inthe first configuration before it is coupled to the peripheralintravenous line 1300, then remain in the first configuration for aperiod of time after being coupled to the peripheral intravenous line1300. Similarly, the apparatus 1000 can be moved to the thirdconfiguration, can be disconnected from the peripheral intravenous line1300, and then remain in the third configuration.

FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic illustration of an apparatus 2000according to an embodiment in a second configuration. The apparatus 2000includes an introducer 2100 and a catheter 2200. The catheter 2200includes a distal end 2230 and a proximal end 2220. The distal end 2230of the catheter 2200 includes a set of openings 2231 such that when inthe second configuration (i.e., when the distal end 2230 of the catheter2200 is in the vein and outside the intravenous line) the openings 2231act to transport a bodily fluid (i.e., blood) to a volume outside thecatheter 2200. The set of openings can be of any arrangement on thecircumference of the catheter 2200 and can include the end of thecatheter 2200. Similarly stated, the catheter 2200 having the distal end2230 can be substantially open at the tip surface. Each opening 2231 canbe of any suitable shape or size and are not necessarily similar to anyother opening included in the set of openings. In some embodiments, thecatheter 2200 defines a single opening.

The proximal end 2220 of the catheter 2200 is fluidically coupled to alocking mechanism 2221, as shown in FIG. 3. The locking mechanism 2221can be any suitable locking mechanism such as a Luer lock or the like. Aneedle 2222 is fluidically coupled to the locking mechanism and at leastpartially disposed within a sheath 2223. The sheath 2223 can be anymaterial with a suitable flexibility and/or compressibility such thatthe needle 2222 can extend through the sheath 2223 when engaged with aconventional phlebotomy fluid container (e.g., a Vacutainer®). Thelocking mechanism 2221 is configured to couple to a suitable fluidcontainment system such as a Vacutainer® holder (not shown in FIG. 3)and place the needle 2222 in fluid communication with the fluidcontainment system. The sheath 2223 is configured to compress when thelocking mechanism 2221 is coupled to the fluid containment system. Thisarrangement facilitates the passage of bodily fluids through the set ofopenings 2231 of the catheter 2200, as shown in FIG. 3 by arrow AA,through the catheter 2200, and exiting the catheter 2200 through theneedle 2222, as shown in FIG. 3 by arrow BB.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 3000 for phlebotomythrough a peripheral intravenous catheter in a second configurationaccording to an embodiment. The apparatus 3000 includes an introducer3100 and a catheter 3200. The introducer 3100 includes a sheath 3110defining a lumen 3113 between a proximal end 3120 and a distal end 3130and configured to house, at least partially, the catheter 3200. Thedistal end 3130 of the introducer 3100 includes a locking mechanism 3131configured to fluidically couple the introducer 3100 to a peripheralintravenous line 3300 and place the catheter 3200 into fluidcommunication with the peripheral intravenous line 3300. The lockingmechanism 3131 can be any suitable locking mechanism that creates afluid-tight seal. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism can be aLuer lock or similar configuration. The sheath 3110, having a givenstiffness, is such that when applying a force to the proximal end 3120,the sheath 3110 compresses along an axis AAA, advancing the catheter3200 to the second configuration. Said another way, as the sheath 3110of the introducer 3100 is compressed, the catheter 3200 moves from thefirst configuration (FIG. 1) to a second configuration substantiallyoutside the introducer 3100, as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, thestiffness of the sheath 3110 is an extensive property and as such canhave a set of properties (i.e. material, thickness, shape and/or thelike) to allow the sheath 3110 to compress along the axis AAA with thedesired amount of force applied at the proximal end 3120 of theintroducer 3100. The set of properties allow the sheath 3110 toelastically deform (i.e. non-permanently) such that when the force is nolonger applied to the proximal end 3120 of the introducer 3100, theapparatus 3000 returns to the first configuration. In the secondconfiguration, the distal end 3230 of the catheter 3200 extends past thedistal end of the peripheral intravenous line 3300. This arrangementallows for the transport of a bodily fluid to a volume outside thecatheter 3200 and when complete, the apparatus 3000 returns to a thirdconfiguration, which is substantially the same as the firstconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an apparatus 4000 according to an embodiment ina first configuration. The apparatus 4000 includes an introducer 4100and a catheter 4200. The introducer 4100 includes a sheath 4110 defininga lumen 4113 between a proximal end 4120 and a distal end 4130 andconfigured to house, at least partially, the catheter 4200. Althoughshown in FIG. 5 as being cylindrical, the introducer 4100 can be anysuitable shape. Moreover, the lumen 4113, defined by the interior wallsof the sheath 4110 is not necessarily the same shape as the exteriorwalls of the sheath 4110. Said a different way, the interior andexterior walls of the sheath 4110 can have a different cross sectionalshape. The proximal end 4120 of the introducer 4100 is coupled to alocking mechanism 4122. The locking mechanism 4122 can be any suitablelocking mechanism such as a Luer lock or the like. The locking mechanism4122 is configured to couple to a suitable fluid containment system suchas a Vacutainer® holder (not shown in FIG. 5) and place the catheter4200 in fluid communication with the fluid containment system.

The distal end 4130 of the introducer 4100 includes a locking mechanism4131 configured to fluidically couple a peripheral intravenous line (notshown in FIG. 5) to the introducer 4100 and place the catheter 4200 intofluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. The lockingmechanism 4131 can be any suitable locking mechanism that creates afluid-tight seal. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 4131 is ina sealed configuration until the locking mechanism 4131 is coupled tothe intravenous line. Once the locking mechanism 4131 is coupled to theintravenous line, the seal can be opened to allow access for thecatheter 4200. In addition, while in the unlocked configuration, thelocking mechanism 4131 of the distal end 4130 and the locking mechanism4122 of the proximal end 4120 create an isolated housing for thecatheter 4200 therein. Stated similarly, prior to the proximal endlocking mechanism 4122 and distal end locking mechanism 4131 beingunlocked and before the catheter 4200 is in the second configuration,the catheter 4200 is sterile. Furthermore, the catheter 4200, when inthe second configuration and having contacted the desired bodily fluid,can be moved to the third configuration (i.e., returned to the firstconfiguration) thereby isolating the used distal end 4230.

The sheath 4110 has a given stiffness such that when a force is appliedto the proximal end 4120 the sheath 4110 compresses along an axis BBBadvancing the catheter 4200 to a second configuration (FIG. 6). Saidanother way, as the sheath 4110 of the introducer 4100 is compressed,the catheter 4200 moves from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration substantially outside the introducer 4100 (i.e., thesheath 4110 retracts). The properties of the sheath 4110 can be any setof properties discussed herein such that applying a desired amount offorce to proximal end 4120 allows the sheath to compress along axis BBB.In the second configuration, the distal end 4230 of the catheter 4200extends past the distal end of the peripheral intravenous line andallows for the transport of a bodily fluid to a volume outside of thecatheter 4200.

The catheter 4200 includes a distal end 4230 and tapered portion 4203.The tapered portion is such that the diameter of the catheter 4200 isreduced at a given location, as shown in FIG. 5. The taper angle θ canbe any suitable angle such that the catheter 4200 is allowed to advancefully to the second configuration (FIG. 6). Moreover, the taper angle θis such that a laminar flow (i.e., smooth layered flow) is achieved. Insome embodiments, the catheter 4200 can include a stiffening wire 4202,as shown in the magnified portion of FIG. 6, and can be configured tocoil around the walls of the catheter 4200 providing the catheter 4200with a desired stiffness. Moreover, the stiffening wire 4202, beingcoiled around the catheter 4200, can provide the flexibility to advancethrough a set of walls defining a lumen (i.e., veins, arteries,peripheral intravenous line, and/or the like) without kinking orbinding. In addition, the stiffening wire 4202 can provide the catheter4200 with enough stiffness to facilitate its advancement through thelumen.

The distal end 4230 of the catheter 4200 includes a set of openings 4231such that when in the second configuration (i.e., when the distal end4230 of the catheter 4200 is in the vein and outside the intravenousline) the openings 4231 act to transport a bodily fluid (i.e., blood) toa volume outside the catheter 4200. The set of openings 4231 can be ofany arrangement on the circumference of the catheter 4200 and caninclude the end of the catheter 4200. Similarly stated, the catheter4200 having the distal end 4230 can be substantially open at the tipsurface. Although FIG. 6 shows the distal end 4230 of the catheter 4200as substantially flat, the distal end 4230 may be any suitable shape,(e.g. conical or spherical) and can have any suitable degree of roundededges. Each opening 4231 can be of any suitable shape or size and arenot necessarily similar to any other opening 4231 included in the set ofopenings 4231. The arrangement of the set of openings 4231 is configuredto introduce a laminar flow through catheter 4200 to a volumesubstantially outside the catheter 4200 and thus avoid hemolysis.

In some embodiments, a blood collection system consists of two elements:(1) the introducer/catheter blood collection assembly described above;and (2) a y-adapter that is configured to attach to a standard 16 g or22 g peripheral IV catheter. The y-adapter includes a dedicated port forthe blood collection device and another standard port for conventionalmedicine and fluid infusion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of y-adapter 5400 and an apparatus 5000in a first configuration according to an embodiment. The apparatusincludes an introducer 5100 and a catheter 5200. The introducer 5100includes a sheath 5110 defining a lumen 5113 between a proximal end 5120and a distal end 5130 and configured to house, at least partially, thecatheter 5200. In some embodiments, the y-adapter 5400 is configured tobe coupled between the introducer 5100 and intravenous line (not shownin FIG. 7.). The y-adapter includes a distal end 5410 and defines twodistinct ports. A first port 5420 of the y-adapter 5400 defines a firstlumen 5422 with a first diameter D₁. The first port 5420 is configuredsuch that the first port 5420 is substantially similar in size, shape,configuration, and functionality of a conventional y-adapter. Moreover,the first port 5420 is configured such that the backflow of a bodilyfluid cannot exit the first port 5420. More specifically, the firstlumen 5422 defined by the walls of the first port 5420 can be such thatthe lumen 5422 restricts the backflow of a bodily fluid (i.e. blood). Insome embodiments, the backflow can be prevented using a valve, screwcap, flip cap, port, and/or the like. A second port 5430 of they-adapter 5400 defines a second lumen 5432 with a second diameter D₂.The second diameter D₂ can be larger than the first diameter D₁, asshown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the second diameter D₂ can besimilar or smaller than the first diameter D₁. More particularly, thediameter D₂ of the second port 5430 is large enough to accept up to, forexample, an 18-gauge catheter. The y-adapter can be of any suitablematerial and/or be of similar material to that of a conventionaly-adapter.

The first lumen 5422 defined by the first port 5420 and the second lumen5432 defined by the second port 5430 converge to a common lumen 5401before the distal end 5410 of the y-adapter 5400, as shown in FIG. 7.The second port 5420 is configured such that the second lumen 5432 issubstantially coaxial with the common lumen 5401 and has a diametersubstantially the same as the diameter D₂. In some embodiments, thewalls that define the common lumen 5401 and the walls that define thesecond lumen 5432 are similar. The second port 5430 is fluidicallycoupled to a locking mechanism 5431 configured to couple the y-adapterto the introducer 5100. The locking mechanism 5431 can be a Luer lock orthe like. In some embodiments, the y-adapter 5400 is in a sealedconfiguration until coupled to the locking mechanism 5131 at the distalend 5130 of the introducer 5100. Once the locking mechanism 5431 iscoupled to the introducer 5100, the seal can be opened to allow accessfor the catheter 5200 to advance to a second configuration, shown inFIG. 8 (note the introducer is not shown coupled to the y-adapter inFIG. 8).

In some embodiments, the distal end 5410 of the y-adapter 5400 iscoupled to a peripheral intravenous line 5440 such as, for example, aconventional peripheral intravenous line. In some embodiments, they-adapter 5400 is monolithically formed with the peripheral intravenousline 5440. In some embodiments, the distal end 5410 of the y-adapter5400 can be coupled to a peripheral intravenous line using any suitablelocking mechanism. Similarly, the second port 5420 of the lockingmechanism 5431 configured to couple the y-adapter 5400 to the introducer5100 can monolithically formed with the introducer 5100. Said anotherway, in some embodiments, a separate introducer is not required, butrather a portion of the y-adapter can serve as the introducer.

As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end 5230 of the catheter 5200 in thesecond configuration is advanced substantially past the peripheralintravenous line 5440. The distal end 5230 of the catheter 5200 includesa set of openings 5231 such that when in the second configuration (i.e.,when the distal end 5230 of the catheter 5200 is in the vein and outsidethe intravenous line) the openings 5231 act to transport a bodily fluid(i.e., blood) to a volume outside the catheter 5200. The set of openingscan be of any arrangement on the circumference of the catheter 5200 andcan include the end of the catheter 5200. Similarly stated, the catheter5200 having the distal end 5230 can be substantially open at the tipsurface. Each opening 5231 can be of any suitable shape or size and arenot necessarily similar to any other opening included in the set ofopenings. The catheter 5200, in the second configuration and havingtransported the desired bodily fluid, can be returned to the thirdconfiguration (i.e., the first configuration) (FIG. 7) thereby isolatingthe used distal end 5230.

While catheters are described herein as including a distal end of aparticular configuration (i.e., with circumferential openings, etc.), insome embodiments the distal end of the catheter can include a differentstructure configured to facilitate the drawing of blood through thecatheter. For example, FIG. 9A illustrates a catheter 6200 that includesa distal end 6230 with a bullet-shaped tip 6232. The bullet-shaped tip6232 includes an end portion 6233 configured to be a substantiallyclosed rounded tip and, as such, can be used to move through clotsexisting within a peripheral intravenous line. The bullet-shaped tip6232 includes a set of side-wall openings 6231 that are operative totransport a bodily fluid (i.e., blood) to a volume outside the catheter6200. In some embodiments, such as, for example, a catheter 6200′ shownin FIG. 9B, a bullet-shaped tip 6232′ includes an end portion 6233′ thatdefines an end opening 6234′. In such embodiments, the bullet-shaped tip6232′ includes a set of side-wall openings 6231′. The end opening 6234′and the side openings 6231′ can be configured to produce a laminar flowand act to transport a bodily fluid (i.e., blood) to a volume outsidethe catheter 6200′. While the openings 6231, 6231′ are illustrated ashaving a particular configuration, the shape and orientation/relativeposition of the openings can be varied to facilitate the fluid flowthrough the catheter.

In some embodiments, for example those shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, acatheter 7200 includes a distal end 7230 with a wireframe tip 7241having a stent-like configuration. The wireframe tip 7241 can be aflexible mesh configured to extend away from the distal end 7230 of thecatheter 7200. The wireframe tip 7241 can act to transport a bodily flow(i.e., blood) to a volume outside the catheter 7200. In someembodiments, the wireframe tip 7241 can include a capped end 7242. Thecapped end 7242 can be any suitable size, shape, or configuration and,in some embodiments, can include any suitable number of openings.

In some embodiments, the wireframe tip 7241 can be connected to a guidewire 7243 and used without an additional catheter, as shown in FIGS.11A-11C. Similarly stated, the wireframe tip 7241 can be inserted intoan existing peripheral intravenous line via a guide wire and without thecatheter of FIG. 10. In this manner, the wireframe tip 7241 can act as astent and support the walls of the vein such that blood can be drawnthrough the existing peripheral intravenous line. In such aconfiguration, the wireframe tip 7241 can be positioned within theexisting peripheral intravenous line at any suitable location. Forexample, the wireframe tip can be positioned adjacent the distal end ofthe intravenous line.

The components of the blood draw apparatus and the y-Adapter can bepackaged together or separately. The y-adapter can also be sold in apackage with other IV dressing materials. In some embodiments, they-adapter can remain on the IV as long as the IV is in the patient.

The blood draw apparatus can be used with a variety of peripheral IVs.The apparatus allows efficient blood draw while still maintaining theintegrity of the sample. In some embodiments, for example, the apparatuswill facilitate 20 ml of blood to be drawn in approximately 1-2 minutes.While extracting blood, the blood flow can be laminar to avoidturbulence in the catheter to minimize hemolysis.

While the blood draw apparatus can be used in a variety of settings (ER,in-patient, etc.), two examples of scenarios are described herein. Inthe first scenario, the patient has a single peripheral IV. In thesecond scenario, which is typically less common, the patient has adedicated second peripheral IV just for phlebotomy purposes. Only oney-adapter is required per patient, and can be attached for the life ofthe IV, for example, which is typically 3-4 days. A new catheter can beused for each blood draw.

The assembly of the blood draw apparatus can be the same in eitherscenario. First, the apparatus is coupled to the y-adapter. Second, thecatheter is advanced through the y-adapter and pushed through theperipheral IV catheter into the patient's vein. Once in the vein, asyringe or a negative pressure collection container/tube (e.g., aVacutainer® tube) is connected to the rear port and fluidically coupledto the catheter to draw and store blood.

The following scenario is provided by way of example. The nurse orphlebotomist inserts a peripheral IV into a patient's arm. Theperipheral IV is inserted following standard guidelines and they-adapter is attached. When it is time to draw blood, the provider canturn off the IV, if it is on, for approximately 1-5 minutes to allowmedicine or IV fluids to disperse from the blood-drawing site. To drawthe blood sample, the provider attaches the blood draw apparatus to theblood draw port on the y-adapter, advances the internal catheter throughthe peripheral IV and into the vein. Next, the provider can attach thenegative pressure collection container(s)/tube(s) to the apparatus(i.e., place the tube in fluid communication with the blood drawapparatus) to extract the blood sample. In use, a user can discard, forexample, the first 3-6 ml of the fluid or blood sample as “waste” thenusing the next tube(s) as the intended sample. This “wasting” procedureensures all of the dead space fluid, like saline or medications, arecleared from the vein, peripheral IV and y-adapter as to not contaminatethe testing sample being drawn.

In the scenario in which there is a dedicated peripheral IV line forblood draw purposes, the provider inserts a peripheral IV into one armto administer medicine and another peripheral IV into the opposite armspecifically for blood drawing purposes. When it is time to draw blood,the provider simply follows the steps mentioned above and there is noneed to wait the 2-3 minutes to allow fluid or medicine dispersal as inthe first scenario.

Each of the components discussed herein can be monolithicallyconstructed or can be a combination of parts. For example, in referenceto FIG. 7, the y-adapter 5400 and the introducer 5100 are coupled usinglocking mechanisms 5431 and 5131, respectively. The y-adapter 5400 andthe introducer 5100 can be the same component, wherein the y-adapter isan integral part of the introducer 5100 and vice-versa. Other aspects ofthe apparatus shown and described can be modified to affect theperformance of the apparatus. For example, the openings in the set ofopenings described herein at the distal end of the catheter can be inany arrangement, size shape, and/or number, to create preferable flowconditions through the catheter.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Where methods and/or schematics described above indicatecertain events and/or flow patterns occurring in certain order, theordering of certain events and/or flow patterns may be modified.Additionally certain events may be performed concurrently in parallelprocesses when possible, as well as performed sequentially. Whilevarious embodiments have been described as having particular featuresand/or combinations of components, other embodiments are possible havinga combination of any features and/or components from any of embodimentsas discussed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a catheter having aproximal end portion configured to fluidically couple to a fluidreservoir and a distal end portion configured to be inserted through atleast a portion of a peripheral intravenous line inserted into apatient; an introducer defining a lumen configured to receive at least aportion of the catheter, the introducer configured to couple to theperipheral intravenous line after the peripheral intravenous line isinserted into the patient; and an actuator at least partially disposedin the lumen of the introducer and coupled to the catheter, the actuatorconfigured to be moved along a length of the introducer to move thecatheter between a first position, in which the distal end portion ofthe catheter is disposed in the lumen of the introducer and proximal tothe peripheral intravenous line, and a second position, in which atleast the distal end portion of the catheter extends through theperipheral intravenous line.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein adistal end portion of the introducer includes a locking mechanismconfigured to couple the introducer to the peripheral intravenous line.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism includes avalve configured to be in sealed configuration prior to coupling thelocking mechanism to the peripheral intravenous line.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein a distal end surface of the catheter is disposed ina distal position relative to a distal end surface of the peripheralintravenous line when the catheter is in the second position.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein a proximal end portion of the introducerdefines a port, at least a portion of the catheter is configured toextend through the port such that the proximal end portion of thecatheter is disposed outside of the introducer.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter includes acoupler configured to fluidically couple the catheter to the fluidreservoir.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter isconfigured to transfer a volume of bodily fluid from the patient to thefluid reservoir when the catheter is in the second position.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an adapter configured to becoupled between the introducer and the peripheral intravenous line, theadapter defining a lumen configured to receive a portion of the catheteras the catheter is moved from the first position to the second position.9. An apparatus, comprising: a catheter having a proximal end portionand a distal end portion, the proximal end portion configured to beplaced in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; an introducerdefining a lumen configured to receive at least a portion of thecatheter, a distal end portion of the introducer configured to couple toa peripheral intravenous line after the peripheral intravenous line isinserted into a patient; and an actuator at least partially disposed inthe lumen of the introducer and coupled to the catheter, the actuatorconfigured to be moved along a length of the introducer to move thecatheter between a first position, in which the distal end portion ofthe catheter is disposed in the lumen of the introducer and proximal tothe peripheral intravenous line, and a second position, in which atleast the distal end portion of the catheter extends through theperipheral intravenous line thereby allowing the catheter to transfer avolume of bodily fluid from the patient to the fluid reservoir in fluidcommunication with the proximal end portion of the catheter.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein a proximal end portion of the introducerdefines a port, at least a portion of the catheter is configured toextend through the port such that the proximal end portion of thecatheter is disposed outside of the introducer.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter includes acoupler configured to place the catheter in fluid communication with thefluid reservoir.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the proximal endportion of the catheter is disposed outside of the introducer when thecatheter is in the first position and in the second position.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the introducer has a fixed length, theactuator configured to move along a portion of the fixed length.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the introducer defines a slot configuredto movably receive a portion of the actuator, the actuator configured tobe moved along the length of the introducer from a first position withinthe slot to a second position within the slot.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the peripheral intravenous line is inserted into a veinof the patient prior to the introducer coupling to the peripheralintravenous line, the catheter configured to be placed in the secondposition such that a distal end surface of the catheter is disposed in adistal position relative to a distal end surface of the peripheralintravenous line and within the vein of the patient.
 16. An apparatus,comprising: a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal endportion; an introducer defining a lumen configured to receive at least aportion of the catheter, a distal end portion of the introducerincluding a locking mechanism configured to couple the introducer to aperipheral intravenous line after the peripheral intravenous line isinserted into a patient; and an actuator coupled to the catheter andconfigured to be moved along a length of the introducer to move thecatheter between a proximal position and a distal position, the distalend portion of the catheter disposed in the lumen of the introducer andproximal to the peripheral intravenous line when in the proximalposition, at least the distal end portion of the catheter extendingthrough the peripheral intravenous line when in the distal position. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a distal end surface of the catheteris disposed in a distal position relative to a distal end surface of theperipheral intravenous line when the catheter is in the second position.18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism includes avalve configured to be in sealed configuration prior to being coupled tothe peripheral intravenous line, the coupling of the locking mechanismto the peripheral intravenous line transitions the valve to an openconfiguration.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a proximal endportion of the catheter is configured to be placed in fluidcommunication with a fluid reservoir, the catheter is configured totransfer a volume of bodily fluid from the patient to the fluidreservoir when the catheter is in the second position.
 20. The apparatusof claim 16, further comprising: an adapter configured to be coupledbetween the locking mechanism of the introducer and the peripheralintravenous line, the adapter defining a lumen configured to receive aportion of the catheter as the catheter is moved from the first positionto the second position.